Wazzup Pilipinas!?
On the eve of Philippine Independence Day, the nation did not feel proud — it felt betrayed.
In what should have been a moment to uphold the hard-won ideals of freedom and accountability, the Senate of the Philippines instead showed the country a spectacle of evasion and political cowardice. Rather than rise to the occasion, our senators — those 24 elected stewards of democracy — shrank from their constitutional duty, choosing comfort over courage.
In a stunning and unprecedented move, the Senate voted to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte back to the House of Representatives — the very body that impeached her four months prior. It was a decision that stunned legal minds, outraged citizens, and disappointed all who still hoped for integrity in public service.
This wasn’t just a case of parliamentary procedure. This was a deliberate defiance of the constitutional process — one that reveals a rot in the very institution that claims to serve as the check and balance in our democracy.
Ping-Pong Politics and a Broken Process
"Ping pong," "dribble," "circus" — those were the words echoing through political chat rooms and social media groups as the public tried to make sense of the chaotic five-hour Senate proceedings.
In a night filled with rhetorical gymnastics and procedural acrobatics, what emerged was a deeply unsettling truth: The Senate was not just dodging a politically charged issue — it was undermining the Constitution itself. The authority to rule on the constitutionality of the House’s actions lies solely with the Supreme Court. The Senate's decision to return the Articles of Impeachment amounted to an overreach and a shameful act of abdication.
A Senate Without Teeth
“Walang pangil. Walang political will. As in, wala.”
This biting assessment from a political chat room member captured the dismay of many watching Senate President Chiz Escudero’s inability to rein in the disarray. Alongside Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Escudero seemed to sow more confusion than clarity, drowning the chamber in noise rather than leading it toward resolution.
Senators, cloaked in formal robes but lacking the spine to proceed, reduced the solemn responsibility of impeachment into a televised farce. As one observer put it, “We're all watching them run around in circles wearing fancy robes.”
What should have been a defining moment for justice instead became a masterclass in avoidance.
The Price of Injustice
Senator Bong Go’s dismissive comment — “Hindi nakakain ang impeachment” (You can’t eat impeachment) — was met with a powerful retort from the public.
“Walang makakain kung walang hustisya,” replied Galileo, a vigilant member of the Philippine Politics chat. “Without justice, there will be no peace. Without peace, there will be no progress. Without progress, gutom ang aabutin ng bayan.”
This isn’t mere rhetoric. It is a chilling truth.
A government that cannot uphold justice will eventually fail to secure even the most basic needs of its people. Peace, progress, prosperity — all are built on a foundation of accountability. Without it, the nation is starved of trust, dignity, and vision.
Independence Means Responsibility
The timing could not have been more ironic. Just as Filipinos prepare to commemorate the day they broke free from colonizers, their own elected senators chose subservience over sovereignty. This Independence Day, the Senate taught the nation that freedom without courage is hollow — and leadership without principle is dangerous.
The echoes of public outrage — voiced across chat rooms, online forums, and social media threads — weren’t just noise. They were a call to action. A demand for a Senate that does not cower before power, but stands firm for the people.
A Call for Participatory Democracy
One silver lining from this dark episode was the visible and vibrant engagement of politically conscious citizens. The dynamic conversation between reporters on the ground and citizens online gave life to a two-way journalism that empowered more people to question, comment, and connect.
This is what democracy should look like — not just in institutions, but in communities. Not just in chambers, but in conversations.
At Wazzup Pilipinas, we believe that democracy is not a spectator sport. The betrayal in the Senate reminds us why our vigilance matters — why voices from ordinary citizens, digital town halls, and independent media must keep the flame of accountability burning.
Because if our leaders will not defend our democracy, then we — the people — must.
This Independence Day, let us celebrate not just by remembering the past, but by fighting for a future where justice cannot be dodged, and courage is not optional.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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